Are you planning on joining us at this year’s Motorcycle Live event at The NEC Birmingham? If not, why not! If our rundown of the the 10 reasons why you can’t afford to miss Motorcycle Live 2015 hasn’t already whet your appetite then here’s some more information about the range of bikes we are proudly displaying on our stand this year…

AJS 1927 – A vintage stunner!

The mint condition AJS 1927 belongs to our first ever policyholder – Ivan Rhodes. We first insured this classic piece of motorcycle history back in 1985, and we’re very proud to say that it’s still insured through us to this day.

The history behind the AJS
The first overhead valved engine to win a TT race which was produced by AJS in 1920. All of these overhead valve AJS machines from the first experimental TT model through to 1927 were to have their cylinder heads retained by a strap or clamps incorporating turn buckles – an unusual practice but quite effective. The 1927 model being the last of the line and considered by those in the know to be the best of the bunch!

Why do you love it?
I first rode as a school boy and accrued an AJS by collecting parts for a few pounds before I passed my bike test. I could afford nothing else, so I used this machine in competition and in trails, scrambles, grass tracks and road racing.

What is your most memorable moment on your AJS?
Christmas morning, I always went for a ride out on the bike irrespective of the weather. I have a fond regard for the Stevens family who produce the
bikes, just as I do for the Goodman family who gave us the Velocette.

Ivan Rhodes

Destiny’s Invader – A dazzler from Destiny Cycles

‘Destiny’s Invader’ is another amazing one-off design from Vic and Lin Jefford. This eye-popping attention grabber features a Suzuki 800cc engine with

twin carbs and stainless two into two exhausts.

Destiny Cycles
Destiny Cycles are renowned for unique motorcycles, which are hand built to the highest quality. Vic and Lin – owners of Destiny Cylcles, are leaders in innovative custom designs and that’s why Tommy (owner of Destiny’s Invader), commissioned the duo to build his dream machine.

What makes this bike different to others?
Usually customers come to us with a Harley engined chop in mind but Tommy wanted a Japanese engined low rider. We were happy to oblige as it is something different and will really catch people’s attention.

What’s been the most difficult / tricky part of the build?
The bike had to have a jack shaft because the back wheel is a lot bigger than the engine intended it to be.

How long did it take?
350 hours.

Vic and Lin Jefford

1974 Honda SS250 – A bit of crazy genius!

It might look like a plain old Honda SS250, but this baby can cruise at 100mph without a twitch, thanks to its Kawasaki KFX250 motocross race engine –
and bit of crazy genius from Allen Millyard.

What inspired you to build this bike?
I’ve always wanted to make a fast SS250 so when a Kawasaki KXF250 engine came my way, it had to be done.

What’s been the most difficult / tricky part of the build?
Fitting a larger engine into a small bike and retain as far as possible the original appearance.

How long did it take?
6 weeks.

What’s your most memorable moment on your Honda SS250?
The Honda SS250 bends your senses, it’s a small 1970’s Honda 50 that will do 60mph in first gear, it makes me laugh every time I ride it.

Allen Millyard

SpeedWorks BMW K100 – Sizzling BSK

Frank Hunsperger won the Built in Britain competition back in 2013. Hot metal dream from the great pro-builder Ben Kingham – not intended as a show bike, but a road legal race replica. There aren’t many K100 Cafe Racers around, and very few carry the range of parts specifically manufactured for the model.

What inspired you to buy this bike?

I first saw the BSK SpeedWorks K100 when it was featured in the December 2012 edition of Classic Racer and immediately liked it. In the spring of 2013 my son-in-law noticed the BSK Replica on eBay and, after consultation with my family, I put a bid in. The bike was purchased with the intention of parading it at British Historic Racing (BHR) events and taking part in the odd track day. Circumstances have prevented me from using it as much as I would have liked but it has been used on rides out in Lancashire, Cheshire, and North Wales. Also done a few laps of Cadwell Park and the Three Sisters. Great fun to ride on twisty roads and sounds superb!

What makes this bike different?

In 2013 there were not many K100 based Cafe Racers around and even now very few carry the range of parts used and specifically manufactured for the model. It was not built as a show bike but as a road legal race replica race bike.

What’s been the most difficult / tricky part of the build?

The tricky part was hand making some of the parts such as the rearsets, acquiring the wide range of non standard parts that are fitted to it and sorting the wiring system to fit indicators.

How long did it take to build the bike?

4 months.

Frank Hunsperger

Viper V10 – 500bhp

The 500bhp Millyard Viper V10 is amazing, with over 200mph in its ever first speed test!

What inspired you to build this bike?
I like building and riding my special bikes, my son Stephen (12 at the time) saw the Dodge Tomahawk and said I should make one, so I did.

What’s been the most difficult / tricky part of the build?
Making everything work together and look right, it’s quite difficult to adapt a 500bhp car engine to work in a motorcycle.

How long did it take?
3 years.

What’s your most memorable moment on your Viper V10?
Riding it over 200mph at Brunting Thorpe air field, the pull from the 8 litre V10 Viper engine is brutal and endless!

Allen Millyard

Hand built ‘Dunkley-Harton’

Glenn and Gary Dance won the Built in Britain competition back in 2012. A true ‘one off’ because it’s totally handmade. This unique machine combines a powerful 1200cc Harley-Davidson sportster unit V-twin with a ‘Norley’ replica Norton-Featherbed frame.

What inspired you to build this bike?
It was the dream of one of my customers to have this style of frame and engine configuration.

What makes this bike different?
It is all handmade and therefore a one off.

What’s been the most difficult / tricky part of the build?
Hand making the petrol and oil tank.

How long did it take?
260 hours.

Glenn Dance

GSXR 1000 K8 bike – A BSB Stunner

Steve Stone won the Britain’s Got Biking Talent competition back in 2010. Steve took a brand new GSXR 1000 K8 bike – then totally transformed it. Stripped down and reconfigured it as a BSB spec superbike.

What inspired you to build this bike?
It started out with a dream of what it would be like to have a British superbike on the road, with the full power of a BSB spec. I brought this thought to my friend Mark Hanna former (crescent Suzuki technician) and with his help we would take the art of modification to the upper limits!

What makes this bike different?
Just looking at it you can see it’s special… and not ‘all fur coat and no knickers’. Do I need to say more!

What’s been the most difficult / tricky part of the build?
Getting the triple clamps and the yoke for the Öhlins series forks.

How long did it take?
1000 hours.

Steve Stone